Saranda Forest – Things To Know Before You Visit

Saranda forest” Land of 700 hills. It’s also named the “Amazon forest of Jharkhand”, because of its dense and thick forest. It’s spread over 820 km sq. it’s located on the border of Jharkhand and Odisha. Saranda forest is Asia’s Largest sal tree forest and the pride of Jharkhand. This forest is perfect for a soothing, peaceful, and adventurous getaway.

Some say Saranda means elephants and some say Saranda means 700 hills. The name of the forest was Saranda because of the large number of wild elephants in this area.

Despite dense forest, it’s also well known for its iron ore mines governed by sail(steel authority of India Limited). It was incorporated on 24 January 1973.

Kiriburu and meghahatuburu 

iron ore mines are also famous along with the Saranda forest.

It is well known for its thick dense forest, magnificent sal trees, and varieties of flora and fauna.

No doubt! You will be astonished by the charming, majestic beauty of this forest.

Culture

80% of the interior forest villages are of various tribal communities like Ho, Munda, oraon, and santhali. They follow rituals, festivals, cultures, and customs based on forests. On every occasion, they sing and dance to their tribal song playing local instruments called Mandar, Nagada, and Dholak. Which is very popular in Jharkhand.

Livelihood

The main occupation for the livelihood in kiriburu and meghahatuburu is Jobs in Iron ore mines. Those who are unemployed have started their local businesses grocery shops, vegetable shops, etc.

If I talk about the people in the villages of Saranda forest, they live on selling sal leaves, timber, Mahua, herbs, palas, honey, fruits and vegetables, crops, lentils, etc.

Delicacy

Tribes of Saranda, who live in the interior village Consume edible fruits, flowers, saag, roots, Red Ants, etc . which have been proven very nutritious. During monsoons, wild mushrooms and rugda/puttu is popular here. Though they Eat simple Meals Rice, Dal and curries.

What is the specialty of the Saranda forest?

• The foremost specialty of the Saranda is its magnificent and majestic sal trees.
• yet unspoiled forest.
• Beside sal trees, it’s beautifully adorned with wild herbs and shrubs. It’s a treasure of Jharkhand.
• Saranda forest is home to several species of Birds and Animals, especially- elephants, sambar, and leopard.
• You will experience how nature is ruling supreme here.
• Saranda forest is inhabited by Munda, Ho, oraon, and Santhal Tribals.
• If you visit Saranda during monsoon, you can enjoy the local delicacy here, which is called wild mushroom- puttu/rugda – this is a kind of wild mushroom, which grows in the canopy of sal trees. It’s a very special kind of mushroom only seen during monsoons. (and these wild mushrooms are expensive here.)

Where to Explore in Saranda Forest?

It’s very sad that there’s no proper information or guidance regarding This majestic place. Truly, it’s a hidden gem of Jharkhand and I really want that people know about this place.

So, here I am, sharing pieces of information about this place, which you must know before making a plan to visit “The Saranda Forest”

First of all, Get to know which districts are covered under this forest.

The forest is located in the hilly region of west singhbhum, some parts of east singhbhum, and saraikela in the Indian state of Jharkhand.

So, which places you must visit to witness unspoiled nature ruling at its best?

2 Major Places you must visit are

1. Kiriburu sunset and sunrise point
2. Thalkobad Forest Rest house

Kiriburu sunset and sunrise point

The first and most recommended place is the Sunset and sunrise point of Kirburu. Your trip will be incomplete without visiting these places.

Kiriburu is a majestic hill station of Jharkhand, situated in the core of Saranda Forest at a height of 3,250 ft. approx. It’s also popular for its weather, surroundings, nature, views, etc. if you are a nature lover, you will definitely going to fall in love with this place. The mesmerizing view from the top is heart-throbbing.

Sunset point is located in meghahatuburu. A lot of visitors come to witness sunsets during weekends. On weekdays you might not face such a crowd as compared to weekends. Not only sunsets but early morning views from here feels like heaven on Earth. It seems like you are above the clouds.

If you talk about accommodation, Meghalaya Guest House is beside sunset point, Meghahatuburu. You can also consider this hotel for a calming stay.

Whereas the sunrise point is at Hilltop, odissa. Kiriburu is situated on the Jharkhand-Odisha border.

Thalkobad Forest Rest House

Thalkobad forest Rest House should be must visit itinerary. If you love trekking and jungle vibes. You surely gonna love this place. I don’t have to much explain about these locations near this place, because you reach this place you will be provided one tour Local guide, Because As I have said earlier that it’s a dense and thick forest. There might be some wild animals in the jungle, so for your safety, it’s not advisable to take one tour guide.

How to Reach Thalkobad Guest House

From Kolkata – If you are from west Bengal, you can come Via train.

From Howrah railway station take Jan Shatabdi to barbil/jamda.

From there it will take you approx. 1 hour to reach kiriburu.

Or you can find your accommodation there only. The next day you have to book or reserve a traveler mini bus/ jeep/Scorpio or bolero to Go to the thalkobad forest rest house.

Before making a plan make sure you book beforehand to avoid a hassle-free check-in. you can check online for the rest house booking or you can mail me at [email protected].

I can help you get bookings and find out whether rooms are available or not for the selected dates.

From Ranchi – from Ranchi kiriburu is approx 324 km. you can either take a direct bus to kiriburu or can book a cab to kiriburu.

From Jamshedpur – from Jamshedpur, the distance is 120 km approx. you can come via train from tata nagar railway station to barbil or bara jamda or you reach by direct bus.

From Bhubaneswar – the distance from Bhubaneswar to kiriburu is 308 Km approximately. you can reach via bus, or train or can book a cab.

From Manoharpur – The distance from manoharpur is 60 km. Hire a cab or you can take a bus.

From Chaibasa – The distance to kiriburu is 100 km approximately. You can take a local train or Jan Shatabdi. Either you can take a direct bus or can hire a cab.

Accommodations

There are various accommodations you may find here. As this place is underdeveloped don’t expect any 2 or 3-star hotel facilities.

Kiriburu and meghahatuburu have 3 accommodations.

1. Meghalaya Guest house, near sunset viewpoint, Meghahatuburu
2. Guest house 2, Meghahatuburu
3. Guest house, Hilltop, Near Sunrise Point
4. Thalkobad Forest Rest House

You can also find a stay at Barbil or Manoharpur. There you might get much better options.

Now let’s talk about Do’s and Dont while Exploring Saranda forest

1. If you are a person who loves to capture and do videography, then you must carry a Camera, DSLR, GoPro, power banks, and laptop.
2. In its thick forest, you might get a chance to witness wild animals or rare species of Birds. So, you must carry binoculars.
3. Mosquito repellent, medicines for fever, headache, paracetamols, or painkillers.
4. You’re favorite snacks because there’s no shop in the midst of the forest.

Don’t’s

1. Don’t carry expensive or fine clothes, heels or sandals. You will be more comfortable with shoes.
2. Don’t litter the forest. Don’t throw plastics, wrappers, or disposals.
3. Don’t offer food to any wild animals or don’t leave any food behind.
4. Always give way to animals first.
5. Please Avoid smoking or do not carry any inflammable products to avoid forest fires.
6. Don’t tease Animals.

Which season will be best to explore Saranda Forest?

The best time to visit Saranda is from October to April. Though you can visit any time throughout the Year during this time weather is pleasing here. The temperature ranges from 6 – 11 degrees Celcius from December – January and up to 40 degrees celsius in April and May.

Mainly there are mainly 3 seasons throughout the year. Summer, Rainy, and winter. Monsoons and winter seasons are extreme here.

Early Summer

From February to mid march(Early summer) the forest looks scenic, Perfect for photography and videography. Sal trees and the forest trees shed their leaves and it’s eyecatching. From the beginning of April, the trees began to bloom with fresh bright green color leaves and flowers, words will be not enough to describe the beauty. The weather is quite pleasing from Feb to April. It’s not too hot and not too cold.

Summer

Summer seasons can also be quite good for the visit. You may enjoy eating wild mangoes and other seasonal fruits here. In the noon time you may face hot weather and loo but as the sun sets the weather becomes cool and the cool breeze of the forest may feel pleasing to you.

Monsoon

Monsoons are extreme here. Saranda forest receives 200 mm of rainfall annually. You may find difficulty in exploring interior places and trekking because the ways and roads to reach these places are of mud. consider all the possibilities before you make plans.

Winter

Winter seasons are good enough to explore the places. You can also enjoy fire camps in the midst of the forest at the thalkobad forest rest house.

Important Things To Know About Saranda Forest

1. Kiriburu in the Saranda is the third highest peak in Jharkhand.
2. It’s Asia’s Largest Sal Tree Forest.
3. It’s a LAND of 700 HILLS.
4. This was so thick in the Early 1990s that even sunlight couldn’t penetrate into the forest.
5. Yes, the Tribals of the interior village are not much aware of modern civilization. But it’s false information that they still don’t wear clothes or don’t know how to speak.
6. They can speak Hindi and tribal languages. They are developing and learning.

The Bottom Line

I hope you may find this article informative and valuable. If you have any queries regarding your visitation, you can mail me at [email protected].